It looks like the new iPhone's dock connector has received a makeover from past versions, cutting the number of pins from 30 to 19.

New photos and videos indicate that the new iPhone will now have a 19-pin port instead of the 30-pin port that Apple devices have traditionally offered since the third generation iPod.

According to Tech Crunch, the new 19-pin port looks similar to Apple's Thunderbolt port seen on MacBooks, but manufacturers have told the web publication that the new iPhone's pin-out will be different from Thunderbolt's.

Lots of new iPhone rumors have been circulating lately, such as videos showing the unibody casing and leaked photos presenting the longer screen and metal backplates. These leaks confirmed a few new iPhone specs, such as the relocated headphone jack and metal antenna molded into the backplates.

However, some other specs remain unclear, such as the size of the SIM card. A video showing new iPhone specs revealed a smaller SIM card holder piece, but no measurements have been released.

How do you expect the iPhone to connect to VGA, RCA, component, speaker, or mic without it?

Do you expect people to buy new TVs, projectors, speakers, etc?

People would much rather buy a $29 dongle to maintain compatibility than buy new equipment in the thousands of dollars.

The micro USB3 connector solves none of those issues because it has no analog hardware and would require a dongle that is more expensive than a simple passthrough to convert digital to analog; instead of a $29 dongle it will be a $99 dollar dongle to convert digital to analog.

So even if you discount technical concerns, there are several significant technical concerns Apple has to deal with including the price of the dongles.

Why can't they just use a composite connector like the headphones on a DS or walkman etc. Obviously that tech is not that complicated.

quote: The Nintendo DS Headset is the official headset for the Nintendo DS. It plugs into the headset port (which is a combination of a standard 3.5mm(1/8-inch) headphone connector and a proprietary microphone connector) on the bottom of the system.

This is the problem I always had with the cable ports of the past...I just want to do one of the simple functions of the interface (charge, headphones, connect to USB port on PC, etc.) but I don't have a proprrietary connector to do it!!!

No as I said (with the NDS as example) I can use any 3.5mm headphones I want. I only need the special headset if I want to use the microphone. Did you look at the picture? Your idea is not at all what I am talking about.

There are Android devices that use micro hdmi and micro usb. I don't have one (such as pictured. This is a more relevant picture lol)...http://st2.gsmarena.com/vv/pics/htc/htc-evo-sprint......so I don't know if they make docks that utilize both ports, but they very well could. And it is commonplace for one to just want to simply connect their phone to show off a couple vids on their friend's tv without need for a usb connection (or a dock) or to simply charge via usb in the car where you don't need hdmi.

On the other hand I of course see where one would like to have everything connected. But my point is that you don't need a proprietary connection to do that.

quote: The micro USB3 connector solves none of those issues because it has no analog hardware and would require a dongle that is more expensive than a simple passthrough to convert digital to analog; instead of a $29 dongle it will be a $99 dollar dongle to convert digital to analog.

In addition to being rude, you seem to be incapable of proper reading comprehension (although, both are more funny than insulting). I specifically said something about this. However, since you're bringing up prices, USB -> 3.5mm headphone converters can be had for $5 on Amazon, and real USB sound cards can be found starting a little above the $20 range (although, the nice ones with volume control and stuff are like $50). Basically, adding analog audio to micro USB3 to 30 pin adapter wouldn't cost much.

Considering that Apple DOES sell simple pass through adapters for about $30, and they have incentive to encourage everyone to move away from the old 30 pin, $99 is a reasonable guess. However, my guess is $50-$60 as that's around the price of the active Thunderbolt adapters.

quote: So even if you discount technical concerns, there are several significant technical concerns Apple has to deal with including the price of the dongles.

I think I know what you're trying to say here... and I'll go ahead and say you've just given a great example of why you're wrong: you feel like $30 is a reasonable price for a 19 pin pass through cable. Apple would be able to sell an active adapter at a price where they could make money, and very few users of their products would complain.

Again, they're not going to use USB3 anyway, it'll be similar, yet proprietary. The extra pins (19 instead of 11?) may even be to carry analog audio. I was merely listing a possible alternative that WOULD work, without being prohibitively expensive, while providing a full digital path and backwards compatibility.

Since you'd only need to do a single level of conversion... it'd probably be something pretty similar to that USB to VGA adapter - probably a single chip, even. I also think Apple could price it however they want, and that price would have more to do with how much they want people to move away from the 30 pin vs. how much they want to avoid pissing people with lots of 30 pin peripherals off, than anything else.

Also, sorry if mistook your (sarcastic?) "duh" as rudeness, when it wasn't. Text: not the best way to concisely portray emotion :)

You're still not getting it. If Apple went with micro USB3, the cable/adapter would contain an ASIC that would output the same exact signals as the current 30 pin connector... with a 30 pin connector. You'd have USB3 on one end and 30 pin on the other. That's it.

quote: The difference is that, if Apple uses USB, everyone would need to buy new cables, instead of a $30 dock adapter to make the new dock compatible with the old dock.

I'm not seeing where you're going with that. Everyone who upgrades to a new iDevice will need to buy new cables or a dock adapter (they'll probably get one cable for free). In my hypothetical situation those cables and connectors would be industry standard instead of proprietary. That's the only thing that would be different.

Oh, I see, instead of a $10 provided dock to USB cable, which all iPhones already ship with, you want a USB port and a straight USB cable, forcing people to buy a $60 USB to Dock adapter as opposed to a $30 Dock to Dock pass through.

Very nice research! And, exactly why I included the word "generally" :) Although, technically, you've described a 19 pin to 19 pin connector since you are obsoleting 11 of the 30 pins. If your sources are correct (not going to take the time to research myself), I believe there's a pretty good chance what you are describing may be exactly how the new 19 pin connector will work - and you'll be charged $30 to get an adapter for it (if you need one).

Still, doesn't change my mind, I feel fairly certain that if they had incentive to do so, they could sell a Micro USB3 to 30 pin connector for whatever price they wanted.